On the afternoon of May 16, 2026, the Breast and Gynecologic Ablation Parallel Session of the First Annual Conference of the 2026 World Ablative Therapies Association (WATA) was held as scheduled. Experts in the field of ablative therapies from around the world gathered to engage in in-depth exchanges and cutting-edge discussions centered on minimally invasive ablation technologies for breast and gynecologic tumors. The conference featured a profound academic atmosphere with frequent intellectual collisions, demonstrating the increasingly broad application prospects of ablation technologies in the realm of women's health.
At the beginning of the conference, Professor Shui Wang from the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Nanjing Medical University delivered the opening remarks. He pointed out that as the concept of minimally invasive surgery becomes deeply rooted, ablation technology is transitioning from "local treatment" to "functional preservation," providing female patients with safer and more humanized treatment options.
Session I: Advances in Breast Ablation from an International Perspective
The first session of academic reports was co-chaired by Professor Ming-An Yu from China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Professor Wei Wu from Peking University Cancer Hospital, and Professor Hui Xie from the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Nanjing Medical University.
Professor Ava Kwong from the University of Hong Kong systematically elucidated the "Application of Cryoablation in Early Breast Cancer and Palliative Care". Starting from the basic principles and integrating data from multiple clinical studies, she pointed out that cryoablation is safe and effective in early low-risk breast cancer and palliative care, yielding favorable cosmetic outcomes. In the future, it is expected to expand its indications and accumulate higher-level evidence-based medical data.
Professor Michael Douek from the University of Oxford delivered a presentation on "Focused Ultrasound Ablation for Benign and Malignant Breast Tumors". He detailed the current application status of High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) in breast tumors, noting that high-quality evidence in the field of breast cancer is still insufficient and that clinical trials for combination therapies are underway. He specifically mentioned that related technologies independently developed in China are gradually emerging on the international stage.
Professor Zhen-Yu Long from Chung-Ho Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Taiwan, China, shared his insights on the "Application of Microwave Ablation in the Treatment of Uterine Fibroids and Fertility Preservation". He indicated that microwave ablation (MWA) offers a precise, minimally invasive fertility-sparing option for patients with uterine fibroids or adenomyosis without compromising ovarian reserve. Concurrently, he reminded clinicians to remain vigilant regarding the rare risk of uterine rupture during post-ablation pregnancies, recommending intensified monitoring during gestation.
Professor Jie Yu from the First Medical Center of the PLA General Hospital presented on the "Current Status of Breast Cancer Ablation," reviewing the application of radiofrequency, microwave, and cryoablation in very early-stage breast cancer. Preliminary cohort studies have confirmed that these techniques are safe, minimally invasive, and possess definite efficacy; however, it remains necessary to expand sample sizes and extend follow-up periods to provide more robust evidence for standardized promotion.
Professor Yi Zhou from the First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University systematically reviewed the "Applications, Problems, and Reflections on Microwave Ablation in the Treatment of Breast Tumors". Progressing logically from principles, indications, and efficacy data to existing problems and future directions, he both affirmed the advantages of MWA in benign nodules and early-stage breast cancer, and objectively analyzed the challenges faced in technological promotion.
Session II: Placing Equal Emphasis on Technological Innovation and Clinical Translation
The second session of reports was moderated by Professor Yu-Jiang Liu from Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, and Professor Yu-Hong Shao from Peking University First Hospital.
Professor Guo-Bing Yin from the Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University introduced the "Application of Focused Ultrasound Ablation in Breast Tumors". He highlighted the original Chinese "Haifu Knife" (HIFU) technology, noting that its first-generation equipment has been collected by the National Museum of China. He emphasized that breast surgery is advancing from "macro-invasive" to "minimally invasive" and towards "non-invasive" paradigms, and that HIFU reflects the paradigm shift in medical philosophy from "treating the disease" to "treating the whole person".
Professor Yang-Yang Ma, representing Professor Li-Zhi Niu's team at Guangzhou Fuda Cancer Hospital, shared insights on the "Cryoablation of Breast Cancer". He posited that cryoablation is characterized by being minimally invasive and safe, with excellent cosmetic outcomes, demonstrating promising prospects in both benign breast tumors and early-stage breast cancer. Combining it with immunotherapy or targeted therapy is expected to further expand its clinical application value.
Professor Ji-Ze Sun from Qingdao Central Hospital reported on the "Salvage Ablation Therapy for Unresectable Breast Cancer". He indicated that Argon-Helium cryoablation provides a safe, effective, and repeatable minimally invasive salvage treatment pathway for patients with unresectable breast cancer, representing a vital direction in advancing the standardization of breast tumor ablation therapies.
Professor Dong Liang from the First People's Hospital of Foshan focused on the "Advances in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Refractory Pregnancy-Related Hemorrhagic Diseases". He proposed a minimally invasive uterine-sparing regimen centered on Focused Ultrasound Ablation Surgery (FUAS), combined with polidocanol sclerotherapy, oxytocin, and hysteroscopic curettage, forming a step-up treatment pathway of "dual chemical and physical devascularization". The core objective is to maximize the preservation of the patient's uterus and reproductive function while ensuring safe treatment, providing a superior strategy for high-risk pregnancy-related hemorrhagic diseases.
Professor Bao-Ying Chen from Xi'an International Medical Center Hospital explained the "Clinical Application of MRI-Guided Vacuum-Assisted Breast Biopsy". She pointed out that MRI-guided vacuum-assisted breast biopsy (MRI-guided VAB) resolves the diagnostic and therapeutic challenges of suspicious lesions visible only on MRI, and is currently considered a safe and highly efficient examination modality. As more clinical research results are published, this technology will play an increasingly significant role in the precision diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer.
Professor Cai Zhang from the State Key Laboratory of Ultrasound in Medicine and Engineering, Chongqing Medical University, shared her presentation on "Focused Ultrasound Treatment for Benign Uterine Diseases and Fertility Protection". She noted that Focused Ultrasound Ablation Surgery (FUAS), as a non-invasive, precise, and safe treatment modality, effectively treats diseases such as uterine fibroids and adenomyosis without damaging the uterus or affecting fertility. It is particularly suitable for patients desiring to preserve fertility and has gained widespread recognition globally.
At the conclusion of the conference, all experts gathered for a group photo.
Conference Summary
This parallel session fostered comprehensive, multi-level academic exchanges centered on ablation technologies for breast and gynecologic tumors, spanning basic principles, indication selection, operative standards, perioperative management, and postoperative rehabilitation. The experts shared clinical experiences and analyzed diagnostic and therapeutic challenges, further popularizing the concept of precision minimally invasive ablation and promoting the standardized clinical implementation of this technology in women's health conditions. It is foreseeable that, with the advancement of more high-quality clinical studies, ablation technology will play an increasingly pivotal role in women's health, truly realizing the goal of "safeguarding a higher quality of life with minimal trauma".
